Election Resources

Voter Information

On August 19, 2016, Texas Secretary of State Carlos H. Cascos reminded Texans that voters who cannot obtain a form of approved photo ID now have additional options when voting in person. These additional options apply to current and upcoming school tax elections and the November General Election.
The seven forms of approved photo ID are:

Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS

United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph

United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

United States passport

As provided by court order, if a voter is not able to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, the voter may vote by (1) signing a declaration at the polls explaining why the voter is unable to obtain one of the seven forms of approved photo ID, and (2) providing one of various forms of supporting documentation.

Valid voter registration certificate

Certified birth certificate (must be an original)

Copy of or original current utility bill

Copy of or original bank statement

Copy of or original government check

Copy of or original paycheck

Copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)

The voter will also need to sign a "reasonable impediment declaration," but will then be permitted to vote using a regular ballot. The voter must indicate one of the following impediments:

Lack of transportation

Disability or illness

Lack of birth certificate or other documents needed to obtain photo ID

Work schedule

Family responsibilities

Lost or stolen photo ID

Photo ID applied for but not received

Other reasonable impediment (the voter must provide a description)

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the approved photo ID must be current or have expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

It is also very important to note that:

Election officials can't question you about using one of the other types of ID.

Poll watchers may never question any voter about voter ID issues!

The address on your ID does not have to match your voter registration address!

Voters with a disability may continue to apply with the county registrar for a permanent exemption to showing approved photo ID (which now may be expired no more than four years) at the polls. Also, voters who (1) have a consistent religious objections to being photographed or (2) do not present one of the seven forms of approved photo ID because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may continue apply for a temporary exemption to showing approved photo ID at the polls.